Micah Jay Warholik born at 12:03 a.m. on Jan. 1 to Airdrie couple is Alberta's first born on 2014.

Cory Warholik/For Rocky View Publishing

Airdrie couple Valentene and Cory Warholik received national attention, as they welcomed their second child Micah Jay into the world at 12:03 a.m. on Jan. 1 at Calgary’s Foothills Hospital, making him Alberta’s first born of the New Year.

The couple, who have a two-year-old son, were planning on spending a quiet New Year’s Eve celebration at home, quickly realized that wasn’t meant to be.

“My wife was having some heart-related problems near the end of her pregnancy so they decided to induce her New Year’s Eve,” Cory explained.

Compared to Valentene’s first pregnancy – where her labour continued for “several hours” – Micah joined the world just 19 minutes after she was told to start pushing, according to Cory.

Weighing in at seven pounds and 11 ounces, Micah narrowly beat out Kael Hudson McAdam, who was born in Edmonton at 12:24 a.m. on Jan. 1.

McAdam – who weighed seven pounds seven ounces - has Rocky View County roots as his mother Erin grew up in Crossfield where her mother, McAdam’s grandmother Patti Milner currently lives.

“They kept saying that we were going to have the New Year’s baby,” Cory said.

“It was a couple minutes after he was born that they confirmed we had the first baby born in Calgary, and it was a couple hours later that they were able to call all the hospitals in the province and confirmed that Micah was the first born in the province.”

Cory – who works for the City of Calgary – and his wife, moved to Airdrie from Calgary in May 2013 and are enjoying the “slower-paced living.” Cory said the community is a great place to raise a family.

As for the media attention, Cory admits it came as a surprise for him and his family.

“I guess I never realized that the first baby born in the year was such a big deal,” he said. “We didn’t expect it even when they induced her on New Year’s Eve. It’s been surprising to be honest.”

According to Cory, mom and baby Micah are healthy and resting at home.

Another baby born at home

Five days into the New Year, Airdrie EMS assisted in welcoming another new Airdronian into the world.

EMS attended an emergency call of a women in labour at her home in the northeast on Jan. 5 at 9 p.m.

“Once crews arrived on scene they found an adult in active labour,” Adam Loria of Airdrie EMS explained.

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